Babies!:Mrs. Howell gives birth to the Platy bunch!

Six baby golden platys were found alive in our community aquarium at 11:15 a.m. today. The fish were discovered by Cari "mad eye" Heelan as they lay hidden at the base of the plant in the tank's west side.

The six babies were quickly captured and placed in the safety of the net crib. They were later transferred to their own isolation crib.

The platy bunch, as they are being called, are all healthy and doing well, according to tank officials. Greg, Marcia, Peter, Jan, Bobby and Cindy will be closely monitored during this early stage of development.

The platy bunch's parents, golden Platys Mr. and Mrs. Howell, are owned by Dave Admire. They were added to the tank Aug. 30 in the hopes that they would reproduce. Now, a mere two months later, they have delivered.

Babies, babies everywhere!

In the haste to find room for the new babies, a shuffle occurred in the net crib. Lollipop, whose growth was such that he was to be released on Friday, was set free without fanfare in order to ensure the safety of the newest additions to the crib.

Lollipop, who was born Sept. 9, appears to be adapting well to life in the big tank, and is often seen swimming hear the coral reef near Orangejello.

The other crib net residents are Licorice, Bardo and Chubby.

Licorice, the marble molly, was also born Sept. 9. She may be released soon as she is almost as big as her brother, Lollipop. Bardo and Chubby are the last known children of Fatty Arbuckle and were born on Oct. 13, the day their mother was murdered by Knuckles McGee. Gozer, another crib resident, died on Oct. 24.